About the Founder

Carly Ridloff

Meet Carly Ridloff, the visionary founder and CEO of The Exchange Project, an eco-chic fashion and lifestyle brand. With a profound passion for fashion and a deep commitment to sustainability, Carly has emerged as a driving force in the industry, leading the charge towards a more environmentally conscious future.

Carly's journey in fashion began at a young age, as she started working at boutiques when she was just 16 years old. Immersed in the world of fashion, she found herself captivated by the creativity and the connections she could make with shoppers. Her early experiences in the industry laid the foundation for her future endeavors.

After completing her college education, Carly dedicated 15 years of her life as a special education teacher: an experience that taught her the importance of setting high expectations not only for others but also for herself. It instilled in her a deep sense of responsibility and a commitment to making a positive impact on the world.

Determined to do more and make a tangible difference in the fashion industry, Carly became aware of the alarming clothing crisis - the negative impact of fast fashion on the environment and the workers in the supply chain. Driven by her passion for fashion and her commitment to sustainability, she knew she had to take action.

This realization marked the birth of The Exchange Project. Carly's vision was to create a fashion and lifestyle brand that not only embraced eco-conscious practices but also offered a unique and stylish alternative to the conventional fast fashion choices. The brand's mission became centered around providing fashionable, sustainable, and high-quality products that consumers could feel proud to wear and use.

Through The Exchange Project, Carly aims to educate consumers about the impact of their choices on the planet and inspire them to make more sustainable decisions. By curating a collection of thoughtfully designed and ethically produced products, she hopes to shift the paradigm of the fashion industry and encourage other brands to adopt eco-friendly practices.

With Carly Ridloff at the helm, The Exchange Project has rapidly become a beacon of sustainability in the fashion world. Her remarkable journey, from a fashion-loving teenager to a passionate educator, and now an influential entrepreneur, exemplifies the power of combining passion with purpose. Carly's unwavering dedication to sustainability and her innovative approach to fashion make her a true trailblazer in the pursuit of a more eco-friendly and conscious world.

In the Press

  • Brochu Walker

    Carly Ridloff is the founder of The Exchange Project an organization dedicated to empowering people to reduce their impact on the environment by promoting trade instead of waste.

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  • CTinsider

    Carly Ridloff, a Westporter since 2020, has been exchanging clothing with her friends and cousins for years to freshen up their closets.

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